2008 Dean's Cup Intramural Competition

AN INTRODUCTION

The Dean’s Cup Competition offers interested 2L and 3L students an opportunity to join the Moot Court Board.  The competition was initiated in 1963 by Deans E.R. Latty and J.D. Johnston.  The Moot Court Board organizes and hosts the competition in the first half of the spring semester.  Working from an appendix packet, each competitor submits an appellate brief and participates in oral arguments.

The problem for the competition is the same as that taught in the Appellate Practice class offered every fall.  While prospective competitors are encouraged to take the Appellate Practice course, in which students will discuss and develop the case, enrollment is not required for participation in the Dean's Cup.

The oral arguments consist of two preliminary rounds followed by semifinals and finals.  Each participant argues for both the petitioner and the respondent in both preliminary rounds; arguments are twenty minutes on a side.  Oral arguments are scored according to the Moot Court Board's standard scoring criteria.  Briefs are scored according to a brief criteria designed for the Dean's Cup.  The written brief constitutes 30% and the oral argument constitutes 70% of each competitor's final score.  The top 35% of the competitors will be invited to become members of the Moot Court Board, while the top four finishers are invited to participate in the final rounds of the competition.  The winner of the final argument, usually held before sitting state or federal judges, is presented with the Dean’s Cup.